GoHawks

Here in the Chicago area we've been getting a lot of nuisance snows. What I mean is that it snows just enough to make the streets wet and as a result a ton of salt is being spread down on the roads.

I swear there's more salt than snow on the ground. My CGP RL was literally white and it's been killing me to see it that way, and it's been so cold (single digit morning lows) that I haven't been able to get it cleaned up.

This morning I figure I would try this new "hand wash" place that opened not far from my house.

After I get it washed, I head to work. Got in a little later so I had to park in a remote section of the lot. There's this guy who won a bid with our company and he does oil changes in this mobile unit. Comes in on Fridays and usually sets up in the remote section.

So there I park, and it's all nice and clean looking still like I just waxed it.

As I'm walking away, I hear someone shout out to me across the parking lot. I look around and it's the oil change guy.

At first i though he was upset that I parked near him and maybe took a parking spot he was using to stage cars. Instead he smiled, pointed to my car and gave me a big thumbs up.

Made my morning.

jhr3uva90

The RL looks pretty damned good in person!

CL6

I like the front but the back is not so good. I think the problem is the sloping trunk. Almost all car today have a strong trunk backend as opposed to the RLs sloping rear. The CL had the same kind of ass. The lip spoiler does help the RL, but I think the backend is bad.

GoHawks

I agree, the lip spoiler does help.

neuronbob

The slope is not so bad, I think. It's the curving edge of the rear. I totally agree that the lip spoiler would help.

I've gotten plenty of positive compliments on my car from passers by since it was tastefully tinted. Not that it's what I care about in a car (and I don't), but I have to admit it is nice to get that occasionally.

CL6

See how the 'butt' ends in an upward motion:
You

While the RL's doesn't:



I think the diffrerence makes the RL look somewhat like a Grampmobile.

neuronbob

I see what you mean. I never put a rear lip spoiler on my TL because there was a small, natural lip to lend sportiness without adding a big-a$$ wing or anything else.

I do think "Grampsmobile" is a little harsh, eh? The 1G RL....now THAT looked like a Grampsmobile. THAT styling was bland *YAWN*. You wouldn't catch this 38-year-old even close to one of those. With the 2G RL, a Mugen lip spoiler, A-Spec wheels and tint go a long way toward improving that image, I would think. Of course, I'm biased, I have two of those three on my car.

GoHawks

Agree on the previous gen RL. Everytime I would go in for oil changes I'd wander over to the showroom. I would sit in the RL, and really try to imagine buying it. Never felt compelled to buy one.

Jaysmith2000

Add the lip spoiler and custom exhaust and believe me it looks pretty bad ass! I just got my new exhaust on yesterday and have had several people come up to me and ask about it....

sri_gondi

Can you post pics of u r car with those(Lip spoiler and Exhaust)..please...love to see them

jhr3uva90

The RL was not designed for Americans. Our tastes are different from the Japanese. They probably think our beloved TL is tacky.

CL6

I think the rear DOES look like a Grampmobile. The Mercedes CL has what would appear to be a sloping butt like the RL, but notice how Mercedes had the trunk end in a nice, sporty, upward motion. Makes the entire rear look nice, I think. The RL would certainly benefit from this type of redesign (sorry for the large size):

Touge

I agree with CL6 in that I was never a bit fan of the rear sloping trunk, so one of my first mods was the Mugen Spoiler. Gets ride of the that droop and gives the car a bmw 750ish look imho.

Mike_TX

If you think about it, the RL has a BMW "bustle", very much like on the 7 series. The rear fender slopes on down while the trunk continues on for a few inches before joining the fender line. The TL, OTOH, has a "Manx-style" rearend.

I agree the spoiler helps it, but the RL isn't the only car to imitate the 7 series' butt.

Back to the original post, I have to say the RL has really grown on me. I wasn't crazy about all its styling cues at first, but everytime I see one I find myself admiring the lines more. I don't get to admire the outside of mine too much, since it's either in the garage, slabbed in between other cars on a parking lot, or I'm looking out from inside it.
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Guy Legend

For the love of God, I hope Acura changes the stock 17's for the 08 model. Those wheels are amongst the most bland as you can get. A simple upgrade to a stylish/aggressive 18 inch wheel would do wonders in imporving the RL's visual pop and proflile.

jhr3uva90

I agree that the rims on the RL need to be replaced. Hopefully, they'll do that next year.

Jaysmith2000

Follow this link:

My RL

RL06tech

The rear spoiler does wonders to the RL outline. I got mine when I bought the car. One point, however, is that, unlike the TL, there doesn't appear to be a replacement spring. thus when you open the trunk it doesn't spring up. It just sits there.

CL6

Acura has never done a good job with rims I think. Enkei does good stuff so I don't know what the problem is. The TL-S wheels are a big change for Acura but I agree, the RL needs some better rims.

The Accords are wearing 03-style TL wheels now!